Florida Panthers News

Sturm left mid-way through the second period and was unable to return. We should receive an update on his status ahead of San Jose's game in Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Samoskevich filled in for the injured Sam Bennett (upper-body) on Tuesday, but will now be a healthy scratch again on Thursday with Bennett set to return. Samoskevich has two goals and two assists in 15 games this season.

According to head coach Paul Maurice, Bennett had something "tighten up," which prevented him from playing the previous game for the Panthers. Mackie Samoskevich will draw out of the lineup to make room for Bennett's return.

According to head coach Paul Maurice, Bennett had something "tighten up," which prevented him from playing the previous game for the Panthers. He added that even if Bennett doesn't play Thursday, he won't be out long-term. Jesper Boqvist moved up to the Panthers' second line with Bennett out.

The Panthers will return to Bobrovsky in net on Thursday after turning to Spencer Knight in their previous outing. The 36-year-old Bobrovsky has not been spectacular this season but has been adequate when needed, guiding his team to an 8-2-1 record in his 11 outings, posting a 2.95 GAA and .895 SV%. The Panthers enter the action on Thursday as -134 home favorites in a rematch against a New Jersey Devils club that snapped their seven-game winning streak on Tuesday.

The Panthers will likely return to Bobrovsky in net on Thursday after turning to Spencer Knight in their previous outing. The 36-year-old Bobrovsky has not been spectacular this season but has been adequate when needed, guiding his team to an 8-2-1 record in his 11 outings, posting a 2.95 GAA and .895 SV%. The Panthers enter the action on Thursday as -134 home favorites in a rematch against a New Jersey Devils club that snapped their seven-game winning streak on Tuesday.

According to head coach Paul Maurice, Bennett had something "tighten up this morning and it didn't loosen up throughout the day." He added that even if Bennett doesn't play Thursday, he won't be out long-term. Jesper Boqvist moved up to the Panthers' second line with Bennett out.

Samoskevich will re-enter the lineup in place of Sam Bennett, who was a late scratch due to an upper-body injury. Samoskevich has two goals and two assists in 14 games this season.

Bennett was a late scratch on Tuesday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. Mackie Samoskevich will likely draw into the lineup in his place.

Kahkonen was reclaimed off waivers by the Jets after losing him via waivers to the Colorado Avalanche earlier this season. The 28-year-old Kahkonen had one game to prove himself in an Avalanche uniform but allowed four goals on 20 shots (.800 SV%) in a losing effort and was placed back on waivers, reclaimed by the Jets. Kahkonen had a poor 2023-24 campaign split between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils, posting a 3.64 GAA and .898 SV%.

Kahkonen was placed on waivers by the Jets earlier this season and claimed by the Avalanche. The 28-year-old Kahkonen had one game to prove himself in an Avalanche uniform but allowed four goals on 20 shots (.800 SV%) in a losing effort and was placed back on waivers, reclaimed by the Jets. Kahkonen had a poor 2023-24 campaign split between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils, posting a 3.64 GAA and .898 SV%.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, a night after a 1-0 win over the New Jersey Devils courtesy of an incredible 44-save shutout by Mackenzie Blackwood, the Sharks will turn to Vanecek between the pipes. The 28-year-old Vanecek has a 3.32 GAA and .898 SV% in eight games this season (2-5-0). The Sharks enter the action on Monday as +227 road underdogs against a Philadelphia Flyers club that has lost three of their last four (1-2-1).